PPG_9Mar2013 by Pilbara Echo Newspaper

ISSUE 85 March 9 2013

propertyguide .com.au REAL ESTATE • NEW HOMES • LAND • INDUSTRIAL

A whole new perspective See page 22 for details on this property

To be part of this publication contact one of your local sales reps.

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REAL ESTATE • NEW HOMES • PROPERTIES LAND • INDUSTRIAL AVAILABLE

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Karratha

Karratha w: www WA 6714 .realaus sieasset s.com.a u

Now Serv PORT HEDLicing clien AND • ts in: KARRATHA

Free Market Appraisals

Property Sales

Investment Choices

0419 906

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PH: 9144 4663

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Shop 18 Centro Karratha, Welcome Road Karratha WA 6714

w: www.realaussieassets.com.au

Roebourne Commercial shed Available for

PH: 9144 Lease 46and 63Sale Call

PROPERTIES

AVAILABLE

bourne Agency Bookings AvaRoeCom mercia ilable for l shed Lease and Hogan Media: 08 9381 3991Sale parada@hoganmedia.com.au

Now Servicing clients in: e: info@reala ussieasse PORT HEDLAND • KARRATHA ts.co

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pilbarapropertyguide.com.au

20 MARCH 9 2013

propertyguide .com.au

Money can buy happiness

Published by:

Money can’t buy happiness? Not exactly.

Pilbara Newspapers Pty Ltd

A recent survey of 1,200 US investors found a direct link between increased income and increased reported happiness.

Shop 2 / 18 Hedland Place Karratha WA 6714

Millionaire Corner, who carried out the research, said the idea clashes with popular belief and offends even the richest citizens.

Local: 08 9185 5570 National: 1300 655 720

“Only one-in-five millionaires admit that money can buy happiness, yet wealthier adults report significantly higher levels of satisfaction in every aspect of their life,” it said.

Agency Bookings Hogan Media: 08 9381 3991

Millionaire Corner asked investors from a range of wealth levels to rate their overall level of happiness on a sliding scale, 10 signified ‘very happy’ and one: ‘very unhappy’.

parada@hoganmedia.com.au

Sale Representatives

The results found that happiness rises steadily with net worth. Less than onefourth of investors with a net worth of less than US$100,000 (A$98,000) rated their happiness as a nine or a 10, compared to

Melissa Jonsson: 0450 592 584 ads@pilbaraecho.com.au

44% for millionaires with a net worth of US$5m or more. The results also found that investors of all wealth levels agree that the most significant components of happiness are, in order of importance: a happy marriage or committed relationship, good health, the freedom to do things that are important to you and happy, healthy children. More than 70% of millionaires with $5m or more rated their satisfaction with their marriage or committed relationship as a nine or 10. The share fell to 45% for investors with less than $100,000. Millionaires also reported higher levels of satisfaction in their relationships with their children, their social life, fulfilling activities outside of work, job fulfilment and their financial situation. (With special thanks to Your Investment Property Magazine)

Big Opportunity d Big Retail Bran

Breda Ryan: 08 9141 9106 breda@pilbaraecho.com.au

Low Investment

Anita Smith : 08 9141 9140

Serviced Accommodation Wedgefield- Port Hedland

SITE OPPORTUNITY

anita@pilbaraecho.com.au

Karratha Lenard’s is looking for the right person to take up the site opportunity.

Editorial Alan Richardson

Full training provided. Finance options available.

news@pilbaraecho.com.au

For more information: Aroha Leigh 0434 600 470

www.lenards.com.au Graphics Sabrina Hansen Susanne Braithwaite

• Communal - Kitchen/TV with Foxtel and lounge area • Secure Off Street Parking with laydown area • Modern air-conditioned Donga units with ensuites • $150 per night

Westy

Phone: 0448 000 426

To be part of this publication contact one of your local sales reps.

propertyguide .com.au propert

REAL

ESTATE

• NE W

HOME

S • LAN D

propertyg yguidepropertygu.com ide uid .c .au ISSUE 77

tic lo

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ISSUE 77 Dec

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om.au

• IND USTRI

Fanta s

ISSUE 77 December 15 2012

Decemb

REAL

REAL ESTATE • NEW HOMES • LAND • INDUSTRIAL

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HOMES

• LAN D

RIAL

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Fantas curityFantastic long term secu rity tic long te rm sec uri

AVAILA See pa ge 27 SOUT BLE ACRO for de H HEDL SS TH tails on E ENTIR AND ONLIN AND • W See page 27 for details on this this pr E RE EDGE property E EVER operty FIELD GION: PO Y WEE See pa RT HE • DA KEND ge 27 for AVAILAB DLAN AT ww MPIER • AVAILABLE ACROSS THE ENTIRE D• LE ACRO details TOM REGION: PORT HEDLAND REGION w.pilb SOUT•HKARRATHA on this PRIC KARRAT arap property HEDLAN SS THE ENTIR roperty E • NEW HA SOUTH HEDLAND • WEDGEFIELD • DAMP DAMPIER • TOM PRICE E RE AND • NEWMAN D • WE Propert MAN AND ONLINE EVERY guide. DGEFIELD GION: PORT y Man WEEKEND AT www.pilbaraproperty ONLINE EVER agemen co HEDLAN m.au • DAMP t guide.com.au Y WEEK D• Free EN IER Rea

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rience in property responsibi tenants’ assets. Roebourne lities, and offer profe and owners’ rights Our focus ssional cons and Commercial shed on keep ultation servi ing relevant ces. information clients abreast Available for of up-to outcomes and -date and for all partie requirements PH: 9144 assures s involved. Lease best poss ible 46and SaleShop

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18 Centr

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Assets 2011

PH: 9144 4663 Published by: Pilbara Echo Shop 2 / 18 Hedland Place Karratha WA 6714 PH: 08 9185 5570 Or 1300 655 720

Property

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MARCH 9 2013 21 21

pilbarapropertyguide.com.au

Time for political parties to address housing issues The Master Builders Association is waiting on the results of this Saturday’s Election to learn more about future housing policies in the State.

Rising electricity prices hurting renters Renters and low-income households have been hit hardest by the rise in electricity prices, a leading social services body said last week. Irina Cattalini, the CEO for the Western Australia Council of Social Service said the cost of living was widely recognised as a key issue leading into this Saturday’s election “Low income households have been hardest hit by the 79 per cent rise in electricity prices over the last four years, with increasing numbers of families unable to pay their bills seeking support from our members,” Ms Cattalini said. Those hardest hit are often households in old and inefficient rental or public housing, who are stuck with high energy use and are excluded from energy efficiency measures. “But we have yet to hear a clear strategy to tackle high energy prices for families in financial hardship.” “Based on our research and consumer advocacy, we think the three most effective energy policy strategies for tackling disadvantage would be: • A 15 per cent concessional energy tariff for low income households, • A targeted energy efficiency program for those in financial hardship, and • Reducing the cost of energy for all households by removing the TEC levy” “A fifteen percent concessional tariff for those households in greatest need would provide effective financial assistance,

proportional to the size of their energy bills,” Ms Cattalini said. “Investing in measures targeted at improving the energy efficiency of households in financial hardship with disproportionately high energy use is the best way to combine efficiency with equity to achieve a double benefit for our community.” “In regional and remote areas where the cost of delivering energy is much higher, greater efficiency can also make inroads into reducing the cost of energy for all consumers.” “The Council continues to support a uniform household tariff policy that ensures all households across the State pay the same price for electricity – but continues to argue that subsidising regional power delivery through the tariff equalisation contribution is unfair on low income households.” “While low income households may spend as much or less than other household types on electricity, those bills represent a much greater proportion of their weekly income – so anything that pushes up electricity prices has a greater impact on them.” The Council also continues to call for funding for independent specialist consumer advocacy in WA, in line with measures in other States. “We need an independent voice for consumers that has the capacity to undertake research and grapple with the technical aspects of the regulation of energy markets – to ensure that Western Australians are not paying too much for their energy,” concluded Ms Cattalini.

• Largest new residential

blocks in Karratha

According to Master Builders director Michael McLean, housing appeared to slip under the radar and clearly deserved more focus from each of the political leaders. “With the housing industry contributing so much to the well being of our economy and standard of living, our next State Government should be looking at ways to sustain its viability and affordability”, said Mr. McLean. “Builders are disappointed that no new policies have been announced to date, which will help the housing industry during the next term of Government.. “Our Association has developed a range of policies, which are needed to make home ownership more affordable and the housing industry more productive”. “We suggest six simple measures to help prospective home-buyers and housing affordability: 1.

Reform local government, including fewer local government authorities, to improve the efficiency and consistency in processing new building and planning applications. Exempt single detached housing projects from the planning approvals process. These projects would still need to comply with relevant

Residential Design Codes and be subject to the current building approval process. 3.

Introduce stamp duty relief to encourage increased activity levels in property and construction.

Appoint a senior and experienced Member of Parliament to take on the joint responsibilities of Housing and Planning. This,will assist to reform the building and planning approvals processes which will benefit everyone.

Introduce meaningful financial or other incentives for employers to take on and train more building apprentices – otherwise the housing industry will again experience skill and labour shortages when our economy improves.

Fast track the release of more residential and industrial land in anticipation of the needs of our growing population in both the Perth metropolitan area and major regional centres”.

“Although we have communicated these recommendations to each of the major political parties we have yet to receive a response,” Mr. McLean said. “There is a lot our next State Government can do for the betterment of the housing industry and housing affordability in WA. “Time is running out to hear what the next 4 years will hold for the housing industry under either a Barnett or McGowan government”, Mr. McLean concluded.

A shining light to welcome you home Avior Townhouses Coming soon As the stunning first townhouse release in the vibrant Jingarri community, every aspect of Avior is designed to welcome you, or your staff, home. This boutique collection of only 15 four-bed townhouses offers spacious indoor-outdoor living, inviting architecture and quality construction. Come home to a relaxed community that perfectly caters to the Karratha way of life.

• Stage 1 – Over 80% sold • 462-800sqm from $275,000

• Ready for immediate

settlement

• House & Land packages

— karratha —

• Stage 2 coming soon Contact us or visit Ray White Karratha today. Onsite sales office open:

FRI, SAT & SUN 15 -17 MARCH 10 am - 5 pm Kingfisher Way, Nickol Richard Naulls 0438 852 444 9185 2444

Matthew Smith 0430 766 360 9463 7283

www.jingarri.com.au

Call Matthew Smith on 0430 766 360 or 9463 7283 Leasing enquiries also invited

K 21

Land for SaLe

from $775,000

The People you know and Trust

9159 7777

www.pilbararealestate.net.au

A whole new perspective

FOR SALE

Set back in its own tranquil sanctuary, this renovated home provides the ultimate lifestyle and entertaining living.

256 Yule Crescent, Dampier Price $890,000

A great design with the kitchen/ living area extending onto a massive alfresco patio overlooking a crystal clear pool. The property features 3 bedrooms, 1 bathroom, Air-conditioning - a split system in every room, two living areas, a gas cooktop in the kitchen and feature French doors. Electric roller

PILBARA FACT

This is your chance to live the relaxed beachside lifestyle that Dampier is renown for! Comfortable brick home located on a large 1007sqm block with rear gully access. Well presented and low maintenance, this most certainly is worth a look! Currently leased until Oct 2013 @ $1300p/w

FOR RENT

The town name Karratha comes from the cattle station from which land was reclaimed for the development

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Photo quiz Q A & ARTS A THA RE K ARR ING CENT N LEAR

This is an absolute bargain for a 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom property located in Pegs Creek. There’s carpet flooring to the living areas and tiles and vinyl to the main areas, air conditioning throughout and ceiling fans and a spacious & functional kitchen. Be quick to snap up this opportunity

CIRCLE

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Pilbara Real Estate #1 in REIWA Quarter Awards

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GOLF CL UB & BOWLING CL UB

14b Snook Street, Pegs Creek Price $800 pw

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For sale $750,000 25 Brooks Way, Nickol

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shutters provide full blockout. Outside there is a large below ground pool, garage and separate workshop and a massive rear patio overlooking mango trees and tropical gardens. A good brick home on a 712sqm block that has been built to last the Pilbara climate

community.

Property of the week 524 Hunt Way, Bulgarra

Casual comfort that’s priced to sell! This three bedroom, one bathroom brick home in Bulgarra is a real find at excellent value and price. This home offers everything you need to ensure comfortable living throughout the year. The front of the property features low maintenance gardens with a large lawned area, enough room to play a game of front yard footy and a lovely little alfresco. To the rear of the property you have a beautiful below ground swimming pool surrounded by lush tropical gardens , a large shed/workshop and a full length patio with outdoor sink and bench. The interior of the house offers a formal lounge with new carpet, renovated kitchen with plenty of storage, refurbished bathroom, study off the dining, ceiling fans and ducted airconditioning. All of the bedrooms feature built in robes, window treatments, ceiling fans and new carpet. Currently leased until 8/13 @ $1200p/w.

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pilbarapropertyguide.com.au

24 MARCH 9 2013

Which Bank? The Family and Friends Bank First homebuyers are being urged by buyer’s agents to consider joining forces with friends or relatives in order to buy their first property. Real Estate Buyer’s Agents Association of Australia (REBAA) spokesman Byron Rose said cuts to First Home Owners grants last year had seen a significant fall in property sales to first home buyers nationally.

How to make a granny flat strategy work By Aidan Devine Once upon a time, a couple had the bright idea to utilise their backyard to build a place for granny to live. It was perfect: they were doing their part to look after the ailing dear, without having to give up any of their own space.

• Granny flats cannot exist on strata title, subdivided or community title property

All parties had a private area to call their own, while a babysitter or a hand in the kitchen was just a patch of lawn away.

• If you convert an internal part of your house into a granny flat, it must have a separate entrance

Nowadays, as Australia’s population continues to grow, the residential space around the nation’s major cities is shrinking. Families and investors looking to maximise their income are getting creative and thinking outside the block. Meanwhile, local and state governments are looking to facilitate the provision of affordable rental properties, as the costs of living continue to rise. Witness the emergence of the granny flat as a common solution.

Building on your existing home

• Granny flats cannot be built on unoccupied land or on a property used for commercial purposes • Granny flats can be attached to the primary dwelling, or can be free standing • Granny flats must have clear, separate and unobstructed pedestrian access

• Granny flats can be built only on Residential Zone property

Granny flats have taken off in recent years and many investors are getting caught up in the hype. The advantages can certainly stack up if you go about it the right way. The ideal granny flat situation for investment and return would be to build the secondary dwelling on the same block as your permanent place of residence. This can add value to your property and also provide a fantastic rental yield, depending on where you live. In most city suburbs, two-bedroom granny flats can achieve a similar weekly rent to twobedroom units. So, let’s just say you spend $100,000 building a granny flat at your house on Sydney’s north shore. Once completed, you get a tenant in paying $450 a week. With an interest rate of 7%, you would be paying the mortgage off at approximately $200 a week. That is a gross rental yield of 23%, or a handy $13,000 in your pocket each year. Of course, that is one of the better case scenarios.

• Each residential property is limited to one granny flat

$100,000 investment + $450 rent per week = 23% yield

• The block must be at least 450m2 to build a granny flat

Do your homework

What is a granny flat? Granny flats are regularly defined as ‘secondary dwellings’, meaning they are secondary to the main property on a single block. The dwelling must be self-contained, meaning it has a separate entrance, as well as separate bathroom, kitchen, bedroom, laundry and living area. • The following general regulations govern granny flats across most local councils:

• The owner of the granny flat must also be the owner of the primary dwelling

K 24

addition to that allowance

• The granny flat can have no more than 60m2 of living space. However, patios, verandas or carports can be attached in

First, you need to analyse the viability of a granny flat on your property and indeed in your suburb. According to Right Property Group buyer’s agent Steve Waters, there are several major areas that you need to make sure you cover:

Council “The first thing to do is contact the local council to find out exactly what you can and can’t do,” says Waters. “What frontage you need, how many square metres you need, the zoning, whether you can put a granny flat on your property.” Getting the council involved at the early stages will stop you from getting your hopes up only to suffer a surprise rejection down the track.

Demand If you want to get a return, you need a ready supply of tenants willing to provide it. Not everyone wants to live in a family’s backyard. Talk to local real estate agents to find out if there is demand in the area for granny flats and how much rent you might expect to get for one, then check to see how many are listed for rent online and in the newspapers. “Drive around the suburb and see what type of granny flats are in the area,” says Waters. “Some of them can look like shipping containers, which is not aesthetically pleasing and may reduce the value of a house rather than add to it.” Tip: The most ideal properties are corner blocks, because the house can face one street and the granny flat the other. This minimises privacy concerns

Costing Get in touch with builders and specialist granny flat construction companies and have them quote the construction work and any other costs. Based on the quotes, get a real estate agent to give you an estimated market appraisal, not only on rent, but also on value as a pair of dwellings, so that you know you won’t end up in a negative equity position. “Granny flats can be a fantastic strategy if done correctly,” says Waters. “In the right area, on the right piece of dirt and with the right construction costs. Don’t do one just for the sake of it. Think of the whole parcel and the real net effect on your whole property, rather than just as individual dwellings.” (Special thanks to Your Investment Property Magazine)

The Australian Bureau of Statistics home loan data for November revealed first homebuyers only accounted for 15.8 per cent of all home loan approvals in November. The figure was down from 18.7 per cent the previous month and the lowest since 2004. “The latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that the situation for first home buyers is not getting better anytime soon, in spite of the Reserve Bank’s rate cutting campaign,” said Mr Rose. “The Real Estate Buyer’s Agents

Association of Australia believes buying with friends and family could significantly help lighten the load of buying and maintaining a home. “By pooling their finances together, first home buyers can split the high cost associated with buying property and make owning a home a more realistic option for many people. “It is important to remember however that this option needs to be treated like a business arrangement and requires a lot of trust and good planning.” Mr Rose said in this instance it was a good idea to consult a lawyer initially about a legally binding co-ownership contract and agree in advance should anyone’s circumstances change. “Remember this is a business transaction and any paperwork relating to the property or mortgage should be in the names of the cobuyers,” he said. “It also recommended that all or both parties in the arrangement keep duplicate copies of all paperwork associated with the purchase.”

Natural light, fresh air, noise and mould on renovators and homebuyers agendas Health issues such as natural light, fresh air, noise and mould have become important issues for Australian homebuyers and renovators, Archicentre, the building design, inspection and advice service of The Australian Institute of Architects said today. Ian Agnew from Archicentre said, increases in population density across Australian cities and suburbs means people are living closer together. “This has put a premium on designing or buying properties with healthy environments,” Mr Agnew said. “This not only applies to apartments in CBD areas but also increasingly in suburban areas where older homes may be demolished and replaced with medium density developments. “People are becoming more conscious of the need for their homes to provide a healthy environment and smart design has become extremely important to delivering healthy lifestyle outcomes. “With increasing housing density the noise factor has become a consideration for homebuyers with double glazing and sound proofing becoming a high priority for renovators who want to ensure peace within their home environment and cut out neighbourhood noise. “Odour control within homes requires adequate ventilation in the cooking areas to ensure neighbours, especially in apartment blocks, are not impacted by kitchen cooking odours either in their own premises or in public areas such as hallways and

stairwells. “A lack of ventilation in a home can lead to the development of mould which should not be taken lightly as it can trigger life threatening diseases such as asthma.” Mr Agnew said that mould is a common factor found during Archicentre pre-purchase house inspections, especially in older homes. Mould is also found during inspections of units and apartments where there is often a lack of adequate ventilation in laundry and kitchen areas. “In units and apartments, where space is tight, often laundries are little more than a cupboard with a washing machine, a clothes dryer and laundry basin,” Mr Agnew said. “Mould grows wherever it can find both food and water. “As food sources are abundant in buildings, mould growth generally indicates the presence of excess moisture which may be due to numerous factors including leaking water pipes, flooding and condensation. “Moulds require moisture, a food source - such as paper, paint and clothing and still air. “Seventy per cent of mould problems are due to condensation coming from wet areas like bathrooms and laundries, while thirty per cent comes from rising damp” Mr Agnew said mould can be eradicated by cleaning it with a special purpose household cleaner - which should kill the current infestation, fixing any sources of moisture such as condensation, rising damp, leaking pipes, and the like, and by improving ventilation by leaving windows open. “Designing healthy, sustainable environments within the home and its surrounds is an integral part of the work of an architect,” he said.